Martin W. Bates

Martin Waltham Bates ( born February 24, 1786 in Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, † January 1, 1869 in Dover, Delaware ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), who represented the state of Delaware in the U.S. Senate.

Martin Bates moved to the end of his schooling in Connecticut to Delaware, where he worked as a teacher before he studied medicine and the law. He became in 1822 a member of the Bar Association and practiced henceforth in Dover. At this time he was also active politically and was the first time in 1826, a deputy in the House of Representatives from Delaware.

In the following years he was confined to his legal activities. It was not until 1852 he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of Delaware back to public office. After the death of U.S. Senator John M. Clayton on November 9, 1856 Bates was elected to succeed him in Congress; Joseph P. Comegys had taken the place of an interim basis. Martin Bates retired on January 14, 1857 in the Senate and remained there until March 3, 1859. He stood for re-election, but was defeated by Willard Saulsbury, boosting his political career was over.